Overstepping bounds?
With all respect to former Supervisor Walt Wilcox (“Businesses don”t vote,” Readers” Views, Oct. 24), the advertisement you refer to was not paid for by the Lakeport Regional Chamber of Commerce. It is funded by Mr. Lewis” campaign. One of the reasons they chose to publish the ad is that this newspaper would not publish the chamber press release announcing our endorsement of Mr. Lewis. We are considered a “special interest group” by the paper and that was the reason for not publishing what we considered a newsworthy action by the largest business advocacy organization in Lake County.
I take exception to the closing remark in Walt”s letter, “businesses do not vote.” On the contrary, businesses are owned by people who live here, invest in their communities, vote in elections and employ other Lake Countians who vote. This organization is comprised of a great number of voters and they recognize the importance of having a voice in their communities.
The Lakeport Regional Chamber of Commerce has worked with and will continue to work with the Lake County Board of Supervisors for the good of all. It matters not so much who is on the board, only that they continue to represent and support the citizens of the county. We have finally experienced some positive forces in our economy and we need to continue to move in that direction. All the employees who are enjoying their jobs and are able to buy/rent homes, purchase goods and services, also represent the businesses that Walt refers to as not voting. I had someone say earlier this year that it”s not the chamber”s job to provide jobs. If we do not support a healthy business community, who will?
Walt referred to “longevity not making a good representative of the people, but rather care, concern and curiosity about where you live makes a good leader.” We believe all current supervisors and candidates possess those qualities. Further, no supervisor has ever had 100-percent support from their constituents and that is not likely to happen in the future.
As to Lenny Matthews” letter (“Time for some choices,” Readers” Views, Oct. 24), thank you for pointing out that our Web site was not up to date; it is now. We do not presume to represent the community as a whole, only our members. The Board of Directors are members who own/represent businesses in the county, as are the members of our Governmental Affairs Committee. As with Supervisor Wilcox during his terms and our current supervisors, do they always represent the wishes of all their constituents? No. Do our board members serve the chamber members by living up to the chamber vision and mission statements? Yes, to the best of their judgment, after much discussion and deliberation.
We applaud your comments about getting involved, along with those of Lowell Grant in his recent letter to the editor (“Time to get more involved,” Readers” Views, Sept. 30). Mr. Grant is a member of this chamber and has stated his desire to be more involved. Should Ms. Matthews become a member we will welcome her involvement as well.
For years, some have criticized this chamber as being a “social club.” Now that we take this step to be actively involved in the future of the county, we have overstepped our bounds?
Melissa Fulton
Executive Director
Lakeport Regional Chamber
of Commerce
